The quaint press methods of the authorities in connection with the recent Hongkew incidents have al-Feady called for some pointed com-rent, which the officials fave disregarded with the wilful blindness of the ostrich. Like that bird, with his head buried in the sand, they seem to forge: that they leave exposed other portions of their anatomy Phish can be shot at by criticism, Sergt. Bellamy's conduct aight' in question hasbeen the subject of an investigation It is to be assumed that as a result of the inquiry certain facts. were dis-led which necessitated some form of disciplinary action, the nature Which It was announced last Wednesday might be ascertained Councillors on reference to the file in the Secretary's office. The whole lotter would have been kept more Secret had it been shouted from the Jtousetops, for though the reason why. Sergt. Bellamy has been disciplined hhex not been disclosed, the penalty inflicted upon him was published by contemporary. the "very next morning. The public naturally wants to know, and English practice indic cates that it is entitled to know, for what reasons the officer in question hus' been punished. What did. Mr. Bellamy do? Was it some grave dereliction of duty, or just failure observe all the niceties which peculiar conditions prevailing in Shanghai render imperative? If the latter the public are entitled to know exactly what they have to expect from the police in the nature of assistance in imbroglios of this nature the officer had emerged unscathed from the inquiry it would have been his due that such a fact should maude known; how much more neces-scry it is that the fact of his punishment and the reason therefore should bbe known to those who when all is said and done are his employers?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.